KARACHI - Department of Plant Production (DPP), Government of Pakistan and All Pakistan Fruit & Vegetable Exporters, Importers and Merchant Association (PFVA) have started campaign against fruit fly of mangoes on war footing. According to the statement, drive start in provinces of Punjab and Sindh’s orchards to avert a likely ban upon export of Pakistani mangoes to European Union, Dr Mubarak, director General, Department of Plant Production (DPP) said.
He was speaking at a seminar on ‘Fruit Fly and Pest Free Mango Export to the World.’ The seminar was jointly organised by DPP and PFVA at Hyderabad. Some 200 growers, traders and exporters attended the seminar besides government officials and office bearers and members of the association. He said that EU issued warning to Pakistan against fruit fly of mangoes and demanded special measures for European consignments. “India will try its best to get Pakistani mangoes banned in EU like it has been banned there in March this year. Therefore, farmers and exporters should take extra measures to ensure that Pakistani mangoes do not contain the bug.
Dr Mubarak further said that govt registered orchards of the fruits in Punjab and Sindh. “The first round of the registration in Punjab has been completed, while it has initiated the registration process of farms in Sindh. Waheed Ahmed, spokesman of the association, said county is expected to produce 1.8m tons mangoes this year of which 65pc will be produced in Punjab and rest of 35pc in Sindh. He said that this was first of four seminars being held to create awareness and suggesting measures against fly fruit in the country.
The other three seminars of the series will be held in the next 15 days in Multan, Rahim Yar Khan and Bahawalpur.